Games lag even when my computer is higher spec

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RKayEll

RKayEll

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So my computer isn't insanely high specs but it has better specs than it needs to run games that I lag on such as Overwatch and CS:GO.
The games switch between very laggy to perfectly smooth back and fourth, all the time - and I have no idea why. I've been having this issue for so long and can't locate the problem.

OS: Windows 10
CPU: AMD FX 8350
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3

I know my Specs aren't the issue as I have friends with worse rigs who don't lag on games that I do lag on.
I've tried lowering the games settings and they run just as well on Ultra as they do on Low.
I've tried updating drivers for my hardware.

PLEASE HELP!
Thanks.
 
Solution
Supernova1138
You're probably running into VRM throttling, monitor your CPU clockspeed while gaming, I bet you'll see it bounce between 1.4 and 4.0GHz and the performance dips correlate with the clockspeed drops. The FX 8350 is a power hungry CPU and you have a low end motherboard with very weak power delivery, so the VRMs overheat when the CPU is put under load, the CPU doesn't get enough power and it throttles back.

Your best option to fix this is to get a new motherboard with better power delivery, it will have to be full sized ATX though, none of the MicroATX AM3+ boards offer adequate power delivery for an FX 8350. Underclocking your FX 8350 and dropping the core voltage is another possible fix as it will get your CPU to consume less power and...
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RKayEll

RKayEll

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I've tested them in the past and they've been fairly normal, slightly higher than when I'm not gaming but not dire.
 
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Botey

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This is not a solution but it may help you find out more about your problem.

I started having similar issue yesterday when I switched to a new super-fast broadband with a new router. My problem occurs when connected to the internet and doing some tasks that are related to the internet. My specs are good too. Does your CPU cause lag while watching video or playing music while connected to the internet? if so, you are having the exact same problem i'm having right now.
 
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Supernova1138

Supernova1138

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You're probably running into VRM throttling, monitor your CPU clockspeed while gaming, I bet you'll see it bounce between 1.4 and 4.0GHz and the performance dips correlate with the clockspeed drops. The FX 8350 is a power hungry CPU and you have a low end motherboard with very weak power delivery, so the VRMs overheat when the CPU is put under load, the CPU doesn't get enough power and it throttles back.

Your best option to fix this is to get a new motherboard with better power delivery, it will have to be full sized ATX though, none of the MicroATX AM3+ boards offer adequate power delivery for an FX 8350. Underclocking your FX 8350 and dropping the core voltage is another possible fix as it will get your CPU to consume less power and take some load off the VRMs, giving you more consistent performance.
 
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Solution
RKayEll

RKayEll

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I do not lag when watching videos or playing music, thanks.

 
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RKayEll

RKayEll

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Thanks man, had a suspicion that it was the Motherboard - will try to buy a new one and get back to you. Appreciate the help!

 
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Botey

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Oh! then your problem is totally different than mine.
Today I found out that my problem was with the PCI wireless network adaptor or its driver. Since it caused the lag I thought it would be the CPU. A simple USB 2 adaptor fixed the problem.
 
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Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

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MERGED QUESTION
Question from RKayEll : "Is my Motherboard causing me lag?"



That assessment is 100% correct.

760G chipset motherboards cannot handle 125 watt chips like the FX-8350.
 
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RKayEll

RKayEll

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I just monitored my FPS and Core Speed whilst playing a game of Overwatch. When my FPS dropped, so did my Clock Speed (from 4118 MHz to 1408 MHz) and when my FPS went back to a steady rate, the Clock Speed did to.
Could you recommend a Motherboard that would be good enough? Thanks for all your help.
 
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Supernova1138

Supernova1138

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The cheapest option is probably the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P. Other than that, most of the boards with the 990FX chipset will have adequate power delivery, those were the ones really designed for the 8 core CPUs. The 760G chipset boards were really only meant for the FX 4300 or FX 6300 maximum. Some board manufacturers do include the 8 core FX CPUs on the support list for those low end boards, but I imagine they didn't test those boards with the FX 8350 under heavy load conditions.
 
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RKayEll

RKayEll

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Thanks, final question. (I'm a complete noob, sorry!) Would this motherboard suffice? https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-990FXA-Gaming-990FX-Motherboard/dp/B00YCF80C4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488141328&sr=8-1&keywords=msi+990fxa Not sure if it's missing any crucial needs.

Thanks again.
 
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Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

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Thats an excellent choice.
 
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RKayEll

RKayEll

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Thanks a lot guys!
 
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